The Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election to choose Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's successor officially kicked off on Sept. 12.

The weakened factional influence due to the disbandment of most of the ruling party’s factions amid a political funding scandal has led to a large field of nine candidates running, creating a "chaotic race."

The big question facing the long-ruling LDP is how the new leader will address both domestic and international challenges while restoring trust in the party, which has been tarnished by the slush funds scandal.

The leadership contest will sorely test the party’s ability to implement truly effective reforms that go beyond mere slogans and catchphrases.

Of the nine candidates, five are running for party leader for the first time. Two are in their 40s and two are women. The candidates range from seasoned veterans who have held ministerial and senior party positions to younger, up-and-coming politicians, making for a diverse group.

However, this is effectively a contest to select the next prime minister.

Japan is beset by a multitude of complicated policy challenges, such as population decline and aging demographics, while the international landscape is rapidly and radically changing.

The question the LDP should ask itself is who is the most qualified to steer the nation through these turbulent times.

The candidates' political skills and capabilities must be rigorously examined.

Regarding the political funding scandal, some candidates advocate abolishing “seisaku katsudo-hi” policy activity expenses, which the LDP currently distributes to individual party executives, and returning money not declared in political funding reports to state coffers.

However, all candidates appear reluctant to thoroughly investigate the scandal despite the party’s lukewarm efforts to clarify all related facts.

Unless all the related problems and issues are addressed promptly and thoroughly to ensure a lasting solution, the LDP could end up facing lingering public distrust.

Does the LDP intend to do nothing to change the current rules concerning political donations by businesses and other organizations or political fund-raising parties?  What is needed to achieve politics that does not cost much money?

A more in-depth discussion on these questions is essential.

In terms of policy, it goes without saying that the candidates must reflect on and evaluate the three years of the Kishida administration.

However, the election should also serve as an opportunity to reassess the policies that extended back to the nearly eight years of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration.

The Abe administration's policies, including the initiative to fundamentally enhance the nation’s defense capabilities, have largely been inherited by subsequent governments.

At the same time, the internal political dynamics defined by Abe’s overbearing power, which stifled open and candid debate within the party, has drastically changed with the Abe faction's dissolution in the wake of the funding scandal.

If the party wants to present itself as a "new LDP," it must confront both the achievements and failures of "Abe politics.”

While the candidates are eager to promote their policy agendas and proposals, their past actions and statements are also important factors in evaluating them.

For example, Sanae Takaichi, the minister for economic security, dismissed official documents from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as "fabrications" during her tenure as the minister.

Since this damaged public trust in official documents and government administration, it cannot be forgotten.

With nine candidates running, votes by LDP Diet members are expected to be widely divided, meaning that the regional votes from the party’s approximately 1 million card-carrying members and supporters across the nation will carry more weight than ever before.

The question is not just whether a candidate can be the "face of the party" in elections, but whether he or she is truly fit to serve as prime minister.

The poll is also a test of whether party members and supporters can make a sound judgment.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 13